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Ubihere’s Latest Technology fills in for GPS indoors, making it an alternative for GPS-denied environments

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Highlights:

1. For indoor and outdoor positioning, Ubihere has introduced a new 2D and 3D technology.

2. The company’s patented technology enabled real-time asset location and information without GPS.

3. Ubihere’s technology to provide the alternative for GPS-denied environments.

Ubihere has enabled a novel 2D and 3D tracking technology for indoor as well as outdoor positioning. This patented technology offers real-time asset location and information. However, GPS is not needed for the whole process. Thus, making it an alternative for GPS-denied environments. It will be launching in Hospitals and Retail Store so that the efficiency of these crowded places will maximize.

How does it work?

Basically, an anonymous Video Analysis Positioning Technology which is OSU patented is used by Ubihere’s system along with advanced machine learning and tag technology. The cameras, system tags, and software track assets to the centimeter. These assets then monitored through either anonymous video feed or tags. These tags are the same as the size of the credit card and non-RFID.

Ubihere’s vice president of business development Mr. Alice Hilliard explained, “The map for indoor environments can be generated from a building information model (BIM). Based on the building’s architecture, movement is tracked. In milliseconds it can hone in on an exact location within a centimeter”.

Depending on the preference of the customer, the location data is transmitted to either the server or the cloud. Then it is loaded into dashboards. However, it can be accessed from any device the client requests.

Now, if a tagged object leaves a building, it will continue to be tracked with or without GPS. In case, if the object stays within the building, no need to use GPS. The battery life of the device which ranges from 18-24 months can be shorten using GPS. Also, several floors, temperature, and usage affect battery life.

Alper Yilmaz- Inventor of the Technology

Alper Yilmaz, the inventor of the technology and geoinformatics professor of Ohio State University (OSU) researched how to geolocate undercover officers based on motion video information. He also considered astronauts on spacewalks.

However, OSU commended Alper to commercialize his technology, and Rev1 Ventures served as the incubator. Under Rev1’s portfolio, Ubihere launched in 2016 in Columbus in Ohio.

Tags to offer a way to calibrate location in Hospitals and Retail Stores

These tags are useful to calibrate locations in places such as hospitals and retail stores, where food cart tracking or devices through lead-lined walls enables these places to maximize their efficiency.

Hilliard says, “Imagine how many times a nurse or other caregivers go back and forth”. Also, he added, “By tracking how people and objects move around, we can help departments figure out opportunities to layout the floor better to allow the staff to save time and steps”.

Further, Hilliard informed that “With a blueprint loaded into the software the system knows whether a (tagged) IV pump went down the hall, turned left or right, entered an elevator, or was left in a patient’s room”.

Locations such as retail stores are the best places to install the cameras, enabling Ubihere to anonymously track a journey of the consumer. If the tag and camera used together, it can assist stores to determine whether a display is working, showing how many customers came into the shop, or how many looked at or touched items in a particular display. In the case of e-commerce, the behavior of costumers can be tracked automatically in real-time with Google Analytics and other SEO tools.

Where else it can be used?

Hilliard explained that “If you were in a factory or even a nuclear power plant, OSHA guidelines establish that you have to have two people in the control room at all times”. Possibly, other uses include emergency-response teams and factories.

He further said, “Periodically, OSHA is required to monitor if the power plant is following that protocol. Instead of having someone sit there and oversee the situation, we can use our camera technology to anonymously collect workers’ whereabouts, which can then be easily pulled from the cloud. For response teams, an equipment failure that makes it difficult to locate a team member could be overcome with the tag technology”.

Yilmaz said, “Ubihere’s machine-based algorithms can learn locations based on various types of sensors, detecting odors isn’t out of the question”. This machine-based learning algorithms utilize maps and sensors to provide a new way to accurately locate things or people in indoor situations where GPS can’t.

About Ubihere

It uses non-GPS reliant tracking technology with great appeal to myriad industries. As well, enabled enormous implications for healthcare, retail as well as the US Military. Ubihere has its roots in research by Alper Yilmaz’s Ohio State University lab that researched how to geolocate undercover officers based on motion video information and astronauts on spacewalks. Its patented advanced positioning analytics map-enabled real-time asset location and information without GPS. Earlier, the company worked with Converge Technologies.

Ubihere now exploring potential applications of its GPS-free tracking technology. Initially, beta tests will be conducted in the hospital as well as in retail environments. As per the reports, the company also has signed three projects with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Garmin : The Global Leader & Supplier of Innovative GPS Technology Across Distinct Markets

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GPS is a very common term used while discussing technology, isn’t it? Well, it will also be wrong to mention only technology because you literally ogle at your phone and keep tracking your food through GPS until the delivery boy reaches your doorsteps. This is not the only usage of GPS navigation, but it has been widely used in the major fields, such as marine engineering, automotive industry, aircraft industry, and in many other domains too.

The two legendary personas who have created an entire empire of finest GPS navigating devices are none other than Gary Burrell and Min H. Kao.

Gary Burrell and Min Kao founded Garmin in 1989 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Currently, it has its headquarters is located in the United States.

garmin
Image Source: bizjournals.com

Gary Burrell

Born in 1937, Gary Burrell is a successful American businessman. He did his engineering (Electrical) from Wichita State University, and initially, worked for companies like Lowrance Electronics and King Radio Corporation. Along with Min Kao as a co-founder, he founded Garmin in 1989. Apart from being a businessman, Burrell is also a philanthropist who donated to the Indian Creek Community Church in Olathe. Burrell is married and has three children.

Min H. Kao

Min H. Kao was born in Taiwan, in 1949. He is an electrical engineer by education, a businessman by profession, and a philanthropist by passion. He completed his education from National Taiwan University and the University of Tennessee. He received a doctorate degree from the University of Tennessee. Before becoming the co-founder of Garmin, he worked with organisations, like NASA and the United States Army. He is known for making significant donations in colleges for new facilities and labs. Kao is married to Fan Kao. The two have a son and a daughter.

The story behind the success of Garmin’s technology

When the minds of these two brilliant engineers met, they built their territory from dust, which in this journey of 30 years has marked its excellence. Now, Garmin produces wide-ranging GPS navigation products which started only from a simple idea of making GPS more popular among people.

The first time when this idea clicked in their minds, they were working on a highly classified project for the US Defense. They wanted to take initiatives to grow their idea and implement it in the real world, but it seemed like their co-employees weren’t on the same page. They also didn’t get enough funding from R&D, and hence, they decided to start their own company. They wanted the extensive use of GPS in every field and started working on designs that would be helpful for industries like automobile, marine and aviation. They also thought of implementing GPS technology in fitness and received a huge positive response from customers.

From 1989-2000

In1993, Garmin launched the world’s first portable GPS navigation device for aviation, named as GPS 95. In 1998, the company introduced the world’s first GPS incorporated cell phone, and in 2000, the US government made GPS data accessible to the common public, which helped in increasing accuracy of GPS navigation. Garmin’s GPS technology has also been used in wars.

From 2001-2010

In 2001, Garmin released the world’s first portable GPS device which responded to audio and was known as StreetPilot III. In 2003, the company introduced the world’s first wrist GPS trainer. Just put in on your wrist like a watch, and it is all ready to track your distance and speed. The gadget was named Forerunner 201, which also provided an eye-catchy item for professional runners and fitness freaks. In August 2003, Garmin expanded its business and made a deal with UPS Aviation Technologies for its GPS units and cockpit systems. Hence, the company started making products for both private and commercial aircraft.

In 2004, Burrell retired from his position. In 2006, Garmin opened its first retail store in Chicago. In 2007, Clifton A. Pemble was appointed in the place of the president and chief operating officer.

From 2011-present day

In 2011, Kao was elected to National Academy of Engineering, and in the next year, the company received the 2012 Innovation Award for consumer products from The Economist magazine. In 2013, Garmin became the supplier of Mercedes-Benz for the in-dash navigation system, and in 2014, the company released an open platform for third-party apps.

In 2015, it launched another awe-inspiring gadget for the sports lovers, the Forerunner 225. It was Garmin’s first wristwatch that tracked heart rate while running. In 2016, Garmin unveiled Vivomove, a smartwatch with classic analogue designs, which opened a new path for its high popularity.

In 2017, the company was named manufacturer of the year by National Marine Electronics Association and won 8 Product of Excellent awards. In 2018, the company introduced its first professional dive watch.

The success, the mission and the future

From mere conversations over an idea to make it come true, Garmin celebrates 30 years of success. Today, the company has more than 9000 workers in 60 worldwide locations. The key to its success is that the company creates a product from scratch, starting from its designing, manufacturing to its marketing, which gives them the entire control over the product and freedom to experiment.

Garmin’s mission is to make more such superiors products of better quality and designs. The company believe in enhancing customer experiences and work in an environment built with honesty and integrity.